Confirmed Trisomy 18

Bookmark Discussion

rhotho wrote:

On January 29, I got Harmony results back showing high risk for trisomy 18. Today, I went to my amnio appointment, but the ultrasound showed clear evidence of defects. So... Here I am. I am scheduling termination even though we are officially waiting for FISH results on Friday or Monday. I'm terrified of termination because I've had 3 c-sections due to not being able to progress in labor, so I will opt for a D and E. I've never even been in a hospital other than having my other girls, and I'm worried about rupture in my uterus. Not to mention how this is going to and has already taken such an emotional toll on me.

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. Terminating is such an impossible choice, and unfortunately all of us have been there. Let us know how we can support you and we will be there for you the best we can. Sending you my hugs in this difficult time.

We made the choice to terminate at 18w (no amniotic fluid due to a placental abruption), and I had a D&E last Friday.

If you haven't yet, I think it would be extremely helpful for you to raise these concerns with your doctor (and make sure it's a doctor you trust). This was my first pregnancy and I was VERY nervous that the D&E might damage my uterus and threaten future pregnancies, but my high-risk doctor was able to reassure me about what the potential (and RARE) complications were, and what they can do to treat them if they occur. She also gave me the backgrounds of the surgeons who perform the D&Es at the hospital I go to, so I felt more confident I was in the hands of experts.

The emotional toll, of course, is another story. Feelings of loss and grief are inevitable. I've also had moments of anger (Why the hell did this happen?!) and being completely wracked with guilt, even though I feel very confident with our decision. All of this is completely normal. I'm fresh off this experience, but you'll find, as I have, that there are so many women who have a little more time behind them who have grown a lot stronger and wiser from this. We'll get there, too.

Sending big hugs your way. I'm more than happy to answer any specific questions you have.

That has to be super scary! Most of the time D&E goes just fine. Anything can happen on rare occasions. If we think about it, you can get hit by a car walking down the street. But it's unlikely, right? How long has it been since you had your last baby by csection? I'm sure your doctors are taking every possible precaution. Talk to them and let them know your anxieties. I hope they can dispel them for you.

I am so sorry you're looking at this diagnosis. Please take comfort in the fact that it is unlikely something like this would ever happen again, should you decide to try again for a baby in the future one day. It is terribly terribly unfair.

Thank you all for the support. I just turned 41 years old, and I had read about risks, but I had a perfectly healthy little girl last March, so I didn't really believe anything would go wrong. Needless to say, this is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.

I'm so so sorry..... Receiving a diagnosis like this is the absolute worst, and making a decision feels impossible. I would definitely discuss all of your concerns with your doctor though to help finalize your decision on D&E to see what they feel is safest/smartest option for you.

I was induced and delivered our daughter stillborn on 2/14/16 at 22 weeks (due to a full Triploidy diagnosis). My doctor had thought induction was safest option for me, given my personal health issues and how far along I was, but I'm sure your doctor can help you decide what your best option is and put your mind at ease if they feel D&E is best for you.

It is a terrible decision to have to make... Definitely sending my thoughts and prayers your way. It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through, and even a month later, I still think about it every day. It does get easier over time though, but we are all here for you whenever you need to safe space to talk!!

I am very sorry you are going through this. I hope the FISH results come back quickly so you can get some closure and move on with the procedure. The waiting when you already know the outcome is so so difficult.

I'm so sorry that you are going thru this. My story is completely different so I have no advice with the D&E after a c-section besides talk to dr. The women here are incredible, and you are not alone in making this decision. (((Hugs)))

We got the call today confirming trisomy 18 from the FISH results. After the ultrasound last week, I called my ob and discussed termination. Because of where we are, she was going to have to have it cleared with the hospital board and could only induce me. (We are in a conservative area in Texas.) She advised me to schedule a D&E with the doctors I saw at the high risk clinic where I had my amnio. They have been great, and I have an appointment tomorrow morning for the pre-op procedures. Surgery should be Wednesday morning. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the whole dilation process (my other daughters came via c-section because my labor wouldn't progress). But I know I will get through it and this is what is best for my family.

Best wishes. I'm having an amnio this Wednesday to see if baby has trisomy 18 like the NIPT showed a high risk for. I'm so nervous. Before this, baby was presenting with hydrops. It's been a rough road and I fear termination is where this journey will end. Hang in there, only you know what's right for you and your family.

Thank you. And thank you all that have replied and been thinking of me. I had the laminaria insertion around noon and it's painful, but not nearly as bad as I feared. My surgery is scheduled for noon tomorrow.

I am so very sorry. I wish no one had to deal with the pain of such a diagnosis. It's been a week since my D&E, and I'm doing ok. I went back to work as a teacher Monday, and since all my students are older, they had heard I lost the baby. Thankfully no one said too much about it. It hits me at odd times: when I saw a pregnant girl at the mall, when I glanced at myself in the hall mirror and my belly isn't as big. But, overall, I'm not dwelling on it. Let me know if I can answer anything for you about the experience. Unfortunately we got the same sad news.

It is so sad. I had cramping the morning I got the call with the results and my body had already started to dilate when I went in for the first part of the D&E. I feel like I just jumped the gun on being ahead of the inevitable. Now of course that brings me more guilt because I could have just waited things out but, then wonder if I would have started to feel even more pain and struggle to care for my toddler. I was incredibly sick throughout the pregnancy and had bad news at every appointment, hydrops fetalis, high NT measurement, positive for trisomy 18 on NIPT blood draw, and finally confirmation at amnio.

I, like you, just wanted everyone to know already so I sent messages out that we'd lost the baby when I got home so that I wouldn't be fielding pregnancy questions. Although since I stay home, I haven't really gotten out much at all besides errands the last few weeks, I think getting over that will be the biggest process for me. I think I need to for my betterment and for my son. Of course everyone I know is either pregnant or just given birth, but, I know that's just part of life. I feel happiness for them and then terrible pain and guilt for what I'm going through. Although, I don't think I will ever get over the guilt even though I know that wouldn't have changed the outcome the way things were progressing, I have to keep trying to reassure myself that we made the best decision for our family and gave this baby every chance to prove them wrong (I was told to terminate when we got the hydrops diagnosis at 11 weeks but, waited for amnio results at 17).

Thanks for responding to my message in this hard time. I appreciate it.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish no woman had to go thru this. It will get easier in time, but give yourself time to grieve. Be kind to yourself because you made the choice out of love as difficult as it was. (((Hugs)))

Prenatal Genetic Testing for Twins Prenatal testing gives you and your doctors information about your health and the health of your babies. Here's what you need to know about how it differs if you're expecting twins.